CORNWALL - A Cornwall man who has joined a growing social movement that doesn't acknowledge government statutes or laws will not escape a warrant issued for his arrest, law enforcement officials said.

The 58-year-old man, who goes only by the name Thomas, was charged with the possession of illegal cigarettes after a search by the RCMP in September 2009.

But calling himself a "Freeman on the Land," Thomas said he is not bound by legal obligations or restrictions that most people recognize, because he has not given consent to be governed.

Thomas does not acknowledge his last name, which he refers to as a "corporate" name assigned by the government. He does not recognize his birth certificate, which he considers a bank note that assigns a monetary value to citizens. He drives without insurance or a licence, saying he doesn't recognize any legal obligation to do so.

And when allegedly caught smuggling cigarettes in 2009, Thomas said he wasn't doing anything wrong.

"To me, it's not hurting anyone, except that the government wants money from you," he said.

In anticipation of his court date on Aug. 4, Thomas sent a letter to the judge informing them he would not be attending to answer to the charges against him.

"Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that all men are equal under the law there, no one man has authority over another man unless authority has knowingly, willingly and intentionally been granted," the letter said. "I did not grant or consent to anyone having authority over me and did not contact with the court, giving them permission to continue."

Thomas said he considers the Government of Canada to be "de facto," which includes the courts.

"Section 15 of the Criminal Code of Canada states that no one is obligated to obey any law of any de facto government, therefor I, as a natural person, am not obligated to obey and or appear (in court) on August 4, 2011."

Missing his court date, a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Thomas is one of about 160 Freeman on the Land that are known to police in Ontario, according to Ontario Provincial Police Const. Pete Robertson.

As a relatively new social movement, Freemen on the Land are gaining momentum around the world, and publicize their defiance in YouTube videos and websites on the Internet.

"The movement is getting bigger and bigger all the time," Thomas said. "...To give us back our freedom because we are all slaves."

But despite the laws and statutes the Freemen cite to build their case, Robertson said all people are considered equal under the law.

"These people are looking at a philosophy and lifestyle that disassociates them," he said. "When we come across a person like that we are going to deal with them with the laws that are mandated. We will treat them like everyone else."

Robertson said police have been monitoring the movement, and said Freemen on the Land have been identified in cities across Ontario, including Guelph, Owen Sound, Toronto, Ottawa, London and the Niagara region.

Because they don't believe laws apply to them, Robertson said there have been instances of Freemen on the Land possessing firearms, explosives and illegal substances.

Bev Roy, manager of the provincial offences court in Cornwall, gave a presentation to United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry councillors about the movement in June.

Roy said they are working to educate court staff about Freeman on the Land, and are working with court security to develop an in-house protocol about acceptable behaviour during court proceedings.

Roy said she wants her staff to understand what the Freeman on the Land are trying to achieve.